We made it back from the beach tonight around 6:00PM. We spent yesterday at a beautiful sacred waterfall. Many of our team members climbed the falls and were able to get in behind them. They were gorgeous. We then made our way to the beach - half our team got to ride in a Tap Tap (Haitian taxi cab) down the mountain. We stopped on the way down for a wonderful lunch prepared by our tour guide Cirrill. We then hit the beach for a relaxing weekend in the sun. It was incredibly warm, but not to worry, we had the ocean and a pool to cool us off!
We are now back and starting to pack up our gear. The next time you hear from us we will be back in the states after another successful mission to Haiti. Thank you all for your continued support.
Continue to check back for picture updates!
Au Revoir!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
It's the weekend!
Friday was a whirlwind. We had 6 team members return to the guesthouse yesterday. Sue, Bob, Terry, and Kevin returned from Les Cayes. They completed their mission having made 8 prostheses and watching each and every one of them get up and walk. The patients that the Les Cayes team saw will continue to return to the hospital for therapy to gain further independence with their newfound mobility.
Barb and Jill returned from Jacmel yesterday afternoon. They treated about 6 people in the morning and then made the trek back. They saw about 20-30 patients per day and managed to have biweekly therapies as well. They are hoping that their documentation makes it through to the next group for consistent follow up. This week another therapist will arrive in Jacmel from the US to pick up where they left off.
Jamie, Wendy, and Leah said Au Revoir to the crew down at the Medishare tents. We are able to document our treatments daily (inpatient, not outpatient) which helps with follow through from the next group. Their will not be any overlap of therapists in the pediatric tent so a summary sheet was provided to ease the next group into their adventure. We said goodbye to all of "our" patients and took pictures with the new friends/colleagues we made throughout the week.
Jim and Steve spent the day advocating for Healing Hands. Yesterday, an organizational called Direct Relief International made a visit to Healing Hands Handicap International prosthetics/orthotics lab and are interested in our project. We are also in discussions regarding a new temporary location for our Kay Kapab clinic until the Rehab Institute is built. It's time to move out of the tent!
Following our reunion last night, Rick made pizza for everyone. We all enjoyed and discussed our adventures throughout the week. Later, a Troubadour band showed up to play music for us and we rocked out to some superb Hatian music on our patio. We have some amazing dancers in our group! The HHHI orthotic/prosthetic lab staff, Dr. Nau, Jasmine and Mac our interpreters, and Noel our driver, among others, joined us in our celebration.
This morning we all part again. The group that came last Thursday will be moving on to the beach - with a stop at a magnificent waterfall along the way. The group that arrived last Saturday will be returning to the states today. We all had an extremely productive week and will likely take a lot of today reflecting on what a powerful presence volunteers have here in Haiti and what an experience this was.
Mark and Emily have been off the radar with all of the activity around the house. We hope they were able to sleep with the music last night :)
The next post will not be until tomorrow evening as yours truly will be enjoying some beach time. Look forward to the next update!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Thursday (Jeudi)
Day by day one learns that there are far more ways than verbally speaking to communicate needs/wants. In a country where language is a bit of a barrier for our team and interpreters are not always available (although they are absolutely amazing and well staffed) we have found that through broken french, a few gestures, and facial expression you can really get your point across! Today, Wendy, Jamie, and Keith headed back down to the Medishare tent. We treat anywhere between 8 and 12 patients a day with the occasional NICU infant feeding. Jamie works primarily in the pediatric tent where large gestures and crazy facial expressions are needed quite often because, as with any child, plain old therapy just isn't that fun. Wendy has been working with outpatients and adults - here gestures and dancing seem to be the most powerful form of communication. Keith followed up with clients he saw on Monday, did some range of motion with one of Wendy's clients, and worked in wound care with some of the PTs (Keith managed to have his own interpreter all day - he was working hard to obtain a job with Healing Hands - so verbal output was the easiest form of communication).
Rick and Bjorn brought orthotics down to Hospital Espoir. Rick provided two patients with knee immobilizers. He was also able to use the magic of gorilla tape to modify two AKA's prostheses. Rick found that thumbs up/thumbs down and hugs and kisses were extremely helpful in getting him through his job. Bjorn served as Rick's assistant (just for the day Sue!) and modeled a knee brace for a patient twice in order to help that individual don/doff their brace independently. As a side note, Bjorn would like the world to know that he is not a fan of external fixators - although extremely helpful and healing, they are "scary looking."
Leah stayed in to rest today and we think she has kicked what was ailing her so we will be happy to have her back at Medishare tomorrow.
John Earl left this morning - he thoroughly enjoyed his stay here and hopes to return sometime this year.
Jim and Steve attended two meetings today and are getting us closer and closer to a new rehab facility everyday - just plain old talking is the only way to get things done there!
We think that Mark and Emily (yes, the chickens) had a bit of a spat - they wound up on two different branches at dinner time and Mark wasn't too close behind Emily this morning. However, they managed to put their differences behind and snuggle up on the steps this afternoon :)
We are waiting on word for the day from the Jacmel and Les Cayes group so stay tuned!
Jacmel: Bonjou! We are tardy in reporting in for Thursday, as we did not have internet to update you! We have treated ~40 patients in the past two days at the Clinic Re-Adaptation in Jacmel. Jill is really working on her Creole, and can manage through a decent session with her vocabulary. Our patients have been incredibly stoic, gracious and sweet. A couple of vignettes for you -- we provided an elastic ankle brace and soccer ball for a 10 year old boy who suffered an ankle fracture and wound during the earthquake. He is great at doing his stretches and also needed a walking shoe for school, as a medical team had removed his cast a couple of weeks ago. His mom needed some exercises and strapping for a clavicle fracture and she was much appreciative. We also taught some exercises and passive stretching to a 19 year old girl who had her hand amputated during the earthquake. We think we could definitely have started some group exercise classes for back and knee pain, a little "tent aerobics".
We have definitely experienced the lack of resources in Jacmel this week. No gas, difficulty obtaining water and getting through the streets as locals line up at the gas pumps and barter for what is available. It continues to be a problem for everyone in a country with little to begin with and tormented by another massive natural disaster.
Les Cayes: We spoke with Sue briefly last night about their day. She said it was extremely productive with the boys. They facilitated and taught a class to 16 amputees who had received prostheses in the past weeks and then Bob was able to meet with them all individually to clarify details and concerns. Way to go you talented people!
Minnesota, Minnesota.....Yay - MINNESOTA!!
Rick and Bjorn brought orthotics down to Hospital Espoir. Rick provided two patients with knee immobilizers. He was also able to use the magic of gorilla tape to modify two AKA's prostheses. Rick found that thumbs up/thumbs down and hugs and kisses were extremely helpful in getting him through his job. Bjorn served as Rick's assistant (just for the day Sue!) and modeled a knee brace for a patient twice in order to help that individual don/doff their brace independently. As a side note, Bjorn would like the world to know that he is not a fan of external fixators - although extremely helpful and healing, they are "scary looking."
Leah stayed in to rest today and we think she has kicked what was ailing her so we will be happy to have her back at Medishare tomorrow.
John Earl left this morning - he thoroughly enjoyed his stay here and hopes to return sometime this year.
Jim and Steve attended two meetings today and are getting us closer and closer to a new rehab facility everyday - just plain old talking is the only way to get things done there!
We think that Mark and Emily (yes, the chickens) had a bit of a spat - they wound up on two different branches at dinner time and Mark wasn't too close behind Emily this morning. However, they managed to put their differences behind and snuggle up on the steps this afternoon :)
We are waiting on word for the day from the Jacmel and Les Cayes group so stay tuned!
Jacmel: Bonjou! We are tardy in reporting in for Thursday, as we did not have internet to update you! We have treated ~40 patients in the past two days at the Clinic Re-Adaptation in Jacmel. Jill is really working on her Creole, and can manage through a decent session with her vocabulary. Our patients have been incredibly stoic, gracious and sweet. A couple of vignettes for you -- we provided an elastic ankle brace and soccer ball for a 10 year old boy who suffered an ankle fracture and wound during the earthquake. He is great at doing his stretches and also needed a walking shoe for school, as a medical team had removed his cast a couple of weeks ago. His mom needed some exercises and strapping for a clavicle fracture and she was much appreciative. We also taught some exercises and passive stretching to a 19 year old girl who had her hand amputated during the earthquake. We think we could definitely have started some group exercise classes for back and knee pain, a little "tent aerobics".
We have definitely experienced the lack of resources in Jacmel this week. No gas, difficulty obtaining water and getting through the streets as locals line up at the gas pumps and barter for what is available. It continues to be a problem for everyone in a country with little to begin with and tormented by another massive natural disaster.
Les Cayes: We spoke with Sue briefly last night about their day. She said it was extremely productive with the boys. They facilitated and taught a class to 16 amputees who had received prostheses in the past weeks and then Bob was able to meet with them all individually to clarify details and concerns. Way to go you talented people!
Minnesota, Minnesota.....Yay - MINNESOTA!!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Wednesday
It was another beautiful day in Haiti. The heat seems to be more manageable with the passing days. Today Wendy and Jamie went back down to the Medishare tents. Wendy treated some outpatients and inpatient adults while Jamie worked in the pediatric tent. We called it a day a bit early due to a stomach ailment but plan to return revived and ready to go tomorrow.
Keith, Rick, and Gail visited a couple of hospitals (Hospital Esproit and Adventis) to check out their facilities. They are both running rather fluidly. Both are busy beyond capacity. Esproit is primarily a pediatric hospital with about 35 earthquake victims in the courtyard in tents with mostly orthopedic injuries. Esproit is running low on orthotics and Healing Hands will be able to provide them with the equipment they need to provide patients with a higher level of care. Esproit is currently receiving their prosthetics care from the Healing Hands supported Handicap International clinic. Adventis is primarily a surgical hospital with about 85 volunteers on staff. Adventis was pretty self sufficient and not requiring our services; although they are currently looking for a full time orthopedic surgeon as well as a prosthetist/orthotists.
Sue and "the boys" have been very busy as well. Sue called this evening to update the group. She said they have gotten all patients who have been fitted up and walking this week! She also said they had an individual brought in to their PT gym on a gurney this morning around 9AM - he had been hit by a motorcycle and then hit by a car - with an open tibia fracture. Apparently they have "a guy" who takes care of these things at the clinic and right there in the middle of the clinic he set this poor man's tibia without any form of anesthesia - it seems this is another spot you could add "Only in Haiti!"
Steve, Jim, and John met with the head of the International Red Cross, Ricardo Conti, this afternoon. They discussed cooperative efforts with them to begin to resume prosthetic fabrication at Bon Travay.
As far as Mark and Emily (our famous chickens) go, Bjorn became good friends with Mark this afternoon. He brought him in to cheer up Leah (not feeling well). They were wandering around the dining room this morning cleaning up our crumbs from breakfast. Day by day they become more comfortable with us - soon they will be jumping into bed next to us!
Sorry about the lack of pictures but our internet signal will not allow the uploading of pictures (at least not in the hour that I waited for it) so we will post many pictures when we return so please keep checking back!
Keith, Rick, and Gail visited a couple of hospitals (Hospital Esproit and Adventis) to check out their facilities. They are both running rather fluidly. Both are busy beyond capacity. Esproit is primarily a pediatric hospital with about 35 earthquake victims in the courtyard in tents with mostly orthopedic injuries. Esproit is running low on orthotics and Healing Hands will be able to provide them with the equipment they need to provide patients with a higher level of care. Esproit is currently receiving their prosthetics care from the Healing Hands supported Handicap International clinic. Adventis is primarily a surgical hospital with about 85 volunteers on staff. Adventis was pretty self sufficient and not requiring our services; although they are currently looking for a full time orthopedic surgeon as well as a prosthetist/orthotists.
Sue and "the boys" have been very busy as well. Sue called this evening to update the group. She said they have gotten all patients who have been fitted up and walking this week! She also said they had an individual brought in to their PT gym on a gurney this morning around 9AM - he had been hit by a motorcycle and then hit by a car - with an open tibia fracture. Apparently they have "a guy" who takes care of these things at the clinic and right there in the middle of the clinic he set this poor man's tibia without any form of anesthesia - it seems this is another spot you could add "Only in Haiti!"
Steve, Jim, and John met with the head of the International Red Cross, Ricardo Conti, this afternoon. They discussed cooperative efforts with them to begin to resume prosthetic fabrication at Bon Travay.
As far as Mark and Emily (our famous chickens) go, Bjorn became good friends with Mark this afternoon. He brought him in to cheer up Leah (not feeling well). They were wandering around the dining room this morning cleaning up our crumbs from breakfast. Day by day they become more comfortable with us - soon they will be jumping into bed next to us!
Sorry about the lack of pictures but our internet signal will not allow the uploading of pictures (at least not in the hour that I waited for it) so we will post many pictures when we return so please keep checking back!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Mardi (Tuesday)
Thanks to Jill for updating the blog last night with happenings around the country with our Healing Hands folks. The guesthouse was in and out of power all night last night and through this morning. We have now restored power, a full tank of deisel fuel, and a fixed inverter to assure us power throughout the week. Today we had a lot of work going around at the guesthouse - they have istalled new pipes for plumbing, started cleaning out the old kitchen, repairing cracks and painting rooms, and fixing the electricity issue.
Wendy and Leah headed back down to the Medishare tents and reported having a busy day. John, Jim, and Steve were in meetings all day. Rick returned from Puerto Rico around 2 this afternoon after having his plane turn around on the runway due to mechanical issues. We are happy to have him back safely!
The Les Cayes group has been busy making AFOs and braces, mostly for post earthquake victims. We have not heard from them or the Jill and Barb team yet today but will keep you posted later this evening or early tomorrow on their progress.
In other news, we have two chickens here at the guesthouse, named Mark and Emily, that have sparked quite an interest among our team members. Mark and Emily were born here at the guesthouse and they travel around the grounds together. There have been sightings of them hunting for food together, sleeping together, even snuggling. Every night at dinner we watch them hike up into the tree for bed - one after the other. It's just a good old fashioned love story :)
Stay tuned for word from the rest of the team!
Speaking of the rest of the team...we are reporting in at 8:50 pm from the traveling teams of Les Cayes and Jacmel. Sue called to give us an update from her and THE BOYS. By the end of the week, they will have fabricated 8 prostheses, 7 of the 8 are from injuries secondary to the earthquake! Two of the 8 limbs are for children.
GO-O-O TEAM! They are also modifying 6 prostheses fabricated initially by prosthetists 2 weeks prior to our arrival. The 3 physical therapists, including Sue our awesome PT, treated 28 patients at the hospital, including inpatients and outpatients.
Barb & Jill were very busy again in our tent clinic in Jacmel. We treated 30 patients today and are feeling quite competitive to set a record by the end of our time here! We are now reconsidering recommending twice weekly therapy for some folks. This evening, we shared dinner at a children's home with 22 junior high/high school aged children. Gotta love Haitian spaghetti with hot dogs!
Wendy and Leah headed back down to the Medishare tents and reported having a busy day. John, Jim, and Steve were in meetings all day. Rick returned from Puerto Rico around 2 this afternoon after having his plane turn around on the runway due to mechanical issues. We are happy to have him back safely!
The Les Cayes group has been busy making AFOs and braces, mostly for post earthquake victims. We have not heard from them or the Jill and Barb team yet today but will keep you posted later this evening or early tomorrow on their progress.
In other news, we have two chickens here at the guesthouse, named Mark and Emily, that have sparked quite an interest among our team members. Mark and Emily were born here at the guesthouse and they travel around the grounds together. There have been sightings of them hunting for food together, sleeping together, even snuggling. Every night at dinner we watch them hike up into the tree for bed - one after the other. It's just a good old fashioned love story :)
Stay tuned for word from the rest of the team!
Speaking of the rest of the team...we are reporting in at 8:50 pm from the traveling teams of Les Cayes and Jacmel. Sue called to give us an update from her and THE BOYS. By the end of the week, they will have fabricated 8 prostheses, 7 of the 8 are from injuries secondary to the earthquake! Two of the 8 limbs are for children.
GO-O-O TEAM! They are also modifying 6 prostheses fabricated initially by prosthetists 2 weeks prior to our arrival. The 3 physical therapists, including Sue our awesome PT, treated 28 patients at the hospital, including inpatients and outpatients.
Barb & Jill were very busy again in our tent clinic in Jacmel. We treated 30 patients today and are feeling quite competitive to set a record by the end of our time here! We are now reconsidering recommending twice weekly therapy for some folks. This evening, we shared dinner at a children's home with 22 junior high/high school aged children. Gotta love Haitian spaghetti with hot dogs!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Monday, Lendi
Thank the world for cellular phones and Digicel in Haiti! Jill and Barb have been able to connect with the groups in Port au Prince and Les Cayes for quick check-ins as we continue to work through the week. Barb & Jill hit the tent clinic running this morning. "Clinic ReAdaptation" in Jacmel was in full swing with patients waiting for us as we arrived. We treated 24 patients, mostly with orthopedic injuries from earthquake related injuries. Our treatment areas were a "plinth" made out of a few cinder blocks and a back board, a rubbermaid tub with a camping mat on top of it and a camping mat on the floor. We continue to be flexible and make the equipment work to be what we want it to be! Many smiles and "mesi" were shared as we gave out lumbar supports, wrist and knee braces and educated in exercises. We both chuckled and were in awe when one of our patients, who survived a stroke, got on the back of a motorcycle with his new AFO and cane to go home. Only in Haiti...
Jamie reports that she, Wendy, Leah and Keith spent the day again at the University of Miami Medishare tent. The rehabilitative work is great and fruitful. We are working to stay hydrated and cool down in the raising thermometer tent heat.
Sue called to report that she, Kevin, Terry and Bob are very busy in Les Cayes. They started work last night when they arrived and finally taking a breather tonight! They casted for 7 prostheses, including BKA and AKAs. They have also casted for 2 AFOs. Busy bees... They are working at a 50 bed hospital called Fante Lumiere and most of the patients were displaced from PAP after the earthquake to make room at the city hospitals for other patients. Working beside them are 3 physical therapists from New York.
Thank you to Gail Buck for organizing us and our communication, you're the best!
Jamie reports that she, Wendy, Leah and Keith spent the day again at the University of Miami Medishare tent. The rehabilitative work is great and fruitful. We are working to stay hydrated and cool down in the raising thermometer tent heat.
Sue called to report that she, Kevin, Terry and Bob are very busy in Les Cayes. They started work last night when they arrived and finally taking a breather tonight! They casted for 7 prostheses, including BKA and AKAs. They have also casted for 2 AFOs. Busy bees... They are working at a 50 bed hospital called Fante Lumiere and most of the patients were displaced from PAP after the earthquake to make room at the city hospitals for other patients. Working beside them are 3 physical therapists from New York.
Thank you to Gail Buck for organizing us and our communication, you're the best!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Sunday
Sunday was another busy day. Today we had a number of departures from the Healing Hands grounds. Jill and Barb have set off to work in a clinic Jacmel until Friday. They will be seeing outpatients this week. They arrived safely and were able to hit the beach for a while this afternoon. Sue, Terry, Bob, and Kevin spent the day painting and then set off around 3PM to Les Cayes to work in a orthotic/prosthetic lab until Friday. Rick also left us today to go do some work in Puerto Rico. Rick will return on Tuesday. Jamie, Leah, and Wendy headed down to the Medishare tent again today to assist with therapy. Lorne and Bjorn continued to paint and are making excellent progress. Steve and Jim headed out with Dr. Nau this afternoon and toured around town. Keith spent the first part of his day painting and then headed down to the Medishare tents to assist where he was needed. Gail was the busiest of all trying to navigate drivers to and from their respective places of work all day. We are definitely keeping busy. The pictures that are posted tonight are from the Medishare tents where three of our therapists were today. Bon nuit!
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